Israel’s attack on Gaza sparks protests in Kashmir

Massive demonstrations were held in different parts of Valley after the Friday prayers against continued Israeli attacks on Palestine. Students, journalists, separatist leaders and common people staged anti-Israel protests at different places urging upon Islamic Bodies to show a united face to stop the aggression of Israel.

The major protests against Israel aggression were reported from old parts of Srinagar city where many persons got injured during clashes with government forces. At least five persons, including two policemen were injured during the demonstrations, against the killings in Palestine, at Nowhatta in old City here on Friday.

Eyewitnesses told CNS that soon after offering prayers at historic Jamia Masjid, hundreds of people took to streets and staged demonstrations against Israel at Nowhatta Chowk. Shouting anti-Israel and pro-freedom slogans, the protesters took out procession towards Saraf Kadal pelted stones on the cops who had already been deployed on the roads in strength.

Shouting anti-Israel, anti-India, anti-America and pro-freedom slogans, angry protesters took out a procession and marched through different lanes and bye-lanes. Police and CRPF troopers swung into action and fired tear-smoke shells to disperse them when the protestors resorted to heavy stone-pelting near Saraf Kadal. However, the protesters offered stiff resistance and continued attacking the cops with stones.

Two persons including a policeman were injured in clashes that erupted in Maisuma locality after police detained several Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front workers when they tried to take out a procession against Israel aggression in Palestine. Police had already arrested JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik who had called for a march on Friday.

Eyewitnesses said that scores of JKLF workers staged a protest and amid anti-India and Israel slogans tried to march toward city centre Lal Chowk. However, police laid barricades to stop them that provoked protestors who resorted to stone-pelting. Locals alleged that police used pellet guns to disperse the protestors, an allegation denied by police. A policeman and a civilian namely Muhammad Basit was wounded during the clashes.

A police official told CNS that police exercised maximum restraint while dispersing the protesters. “Despite provocation and risk to their lives, our cops exercised restraint force to prevent the situation from escalation,” he said.

Senior separatist leaders associated with All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M) tried to lead a demonstration at Abi Guzar here. Javid Ahmed Mir, Imtiyaz Ahmed Reshi and Jaffer Kashmiri along with others set the Israeli flag on fire. Javid Ahmed Mir termed the attack on Palestine people as naked aggression of Israel and appealed to Islamic Countries to play their role to stop the barbaric Israel. “Being a Muslim, it is obligatory for us to raise voice against the oppressors,” he said.

Meanwhile scores of journalist joined the protest at Press Enclave Srinagar demanding world communities to raise their voice against the massacre of Palestinians by Israel. Protesting journalist according to CNS were carrying placards reading ‘Please. Humanity Stop Killings’, Pray for Gaza for the sake of Humanity, ‘Stop innocent killings’. Journalists urged upon OIC, UN and Arab to raise voice and play their role to stop innocent massacre. Journalists also appealed Muslims worldwide to pray for the Gaza.

Meanwhile, scores of students in Kashmir University took to lanes and bye-lanes of Varsity and staged an anti-Israel protest. Eyewitnesses told CNS that both male and female students of Kashmir University assembled outside Varsity Masjid soon after Friday prayers and amid anti-Israel slogans alleged that Zionist forces all over the world are hell bent to subjugate the Muslim population across globe. The protestors condemned the UN and other international bodies for maintaining silence over the brutality of Israel. They urged upon Islamic countries to show a united face to defeat the designs of Zionist forces.

“India has been trying to suppress the right of self-determination of Kashmiris by using force and killing innocents. As victims, we can understand the sufferings of Palestinians at the hands of Israel. We are protesting to express solidarity with the Palestinians,” the protesters said.

Anti-Israel protests were also reported from South Kashmir’s Anantnag and Shopian town. (CNS)

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